MacKinnon registered 4-2—6, including a pair of game-winning goals, in three contests to power the Avalanche (26-16-3, 55 points) to a perfect week and their ninth straight victory, the longest such streak in the NHL this season. He scored the decisive goal in a 3-1 triumph over the Anaheim Ducks Jan. 15. MacKinnon then posted 2‑1—3, his eighth three-point performance of the season, in a 5-3 victory against the San Jose Sharks Jan. 18. He closed the week with 1-1—2, including the winning goal, in a 3-1 triumph over the New York Rangers Jan. 20. The 22-year-old Halifax, N.S., native – who will make his second All-Star Game appearance this week – shares the League lead with seven game-winning goals and ranks second overall with 23-36—59 in 45 outings this season. That includes an NHL-best 15-16—31 in 22 contests since the start of December, highlighted by points in all nine games during Colorado’s current winning streak (8-11—19) and goals in five straight (6-4—10).

SECOND STAR – CONNOR HELLEBUYCK, G, WINNIPEG JETS

Hellebuyck stopped 59 of 60 shots against, compiling a 2-0-0 record with a 0.48 goals-against average, .983 save percentage and one shutout to lift the Jets (28-13-7, 63 points) back atop the Central Division standings. He made 30 saves through overtime and denied both shootout attempts he faced in a 2-1 victory against the Calgary Flames Jan. 20. Hellebuyck then earned his 10th career shutout with 29 saves in a 1-0 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks Jan. 21. The 24-year-old Commerce, Mich., native – who will make his All-Star Game debut this week – ranks in the top 10 in the NHL this season in wins (2nd; 25), shutouts (t-2nd; 4), goals-against average (7th; 2.29) and save percentage (7th; .926) through 39 appearances. That includes a League-best 17 victories in 20 outings on home ice (17-1-1, 2.06 GAA, .931 SV%, 3 SO).

THIRD STAR – BRAD MARCHAND, LW, BOSTON BRUINS

Marchand led the NHL with 2-5—7 in four games to guide the Bruins (27-10-8, 62 points) to a 3-0-1 week, helping the team extend its point streak to 16 contests dating to Dec. 16 (12-0-4). After being held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars Jan. 15, Marchand bounced back with three straight multi-point outings: 1‑1—2 in a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens Jan. 17, 1-2—3 in a 5-2 win against the New York Islanders Jan. 18 and 0-2—2 in a 4-1 triumph over the Canadiens Jan. 20. The 29-year-old Halifax, N.S., native – who will play in his second All-Star Game this week – shares the League lead with a +24 rating through 37 contests this season. He also paces Boston with 20-28—48, marking his seventh 20-goal campaign.

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About Me

This is mainly a Regina sports blog, but you will get information and thoughts from me on a number of topics some that aren't even sports related. You can see me on Access 7 in Regina co-hosting a local one hour sports program called Locker Talk highlighting Regina sports. You can hear me reading afternoon news and sports on 620 CKRM in Regina along with co-hosting "Sportscage" on same station from time to time. I'm also a part of Sask Roughriders broadcast on CKRM and I write feature articles for the Riders on their website Riderville.com.